Mice and humans have about the same number of genes: Scientists

This was a historic year for ties between mice and humans. When the human genome was decoded in February and we were told to our chagrin that all of us have about the same number of genes as mice - 30,000 - that was humbling enough.

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Delhi December 31, 2001

ISSUE DATE: December 31, 2001

UPDATED: September 18, 2012 15:37 IST

This was a historic year for ties between mice and humans. When the human genome was decoded in February and we were told to our chagrin that all of us (and not just some people) have about the same number of genes as mice - 30,000 - that was humbling enough. Worse was to follow.

Sometime in November scientists also implanted human brain cells in mice. Horrific visions of clever mice running around reading this article are still a little far-fetched, though: that was merely as part of stem cell research, and while stem cells can grow into pretty much anything, they take on the characteristic of the tissue they are put into.

That's actually what all the scientists are excited about because it means we're looking at a future where you can take these cells and grow them into a kidney or a bone or, if needed, a brain.

The decoding of the human genome holds forth promise of another sort: designer drugs, tailored to each of us and our idiosyncratic bodies.

So people who can't stomach the one-type-kills-all germ bashers of today could fall ill with fewer fears.

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